Originally hatched in Montreal and currently residing in the UK, Anstascia and Vivie-Ann have established themselves internationally by proving that they don't fit the quintessential stereotype. Powered by their sharp taste-maker instincts and technical flair, the girls have not only charmed the industry masses but set themselves to release on some of the most prominent labels around.
Viv: i grew up in stoney creek ontario (not montreal) … hmmmm well it's non-existent? we had to go to neighbouring steel town (aka armpit of canada) hamilton and/or toronto. Hamilton's scene was quite interesting, you had a choice of was radio listening beer drinkers at bars, leather jacket gino's dancing to euro dance and you couldnt leave the club without seeing a fight, OR who could forget the candy raving breakers!
Anstascia: I grew up in vancouver where they used to have tons of secret raves in forests and other random areas, but then the government cracked down on all these parties so subsequently the scene got pretty lame.. most of the regular clubs would play R&b hip hop and salsa etc.. I really started to get into electronic when i moved to montreal. thank god!!
Guess you're asking about Montreal, where Anstascia and I lived the past 8 years!! Piknic Electronik is the def best party on an island on a sunday all summer. Piknics, alcohol, sunsets and techno… what more can you ask for.. its a bit weird though lots of people bring their kids in the middle of a rave lol!
• How would you describe your electronic sound, who are your influences?
It's organic electronica with rock and indie influences, i think our influences encompass the whole of the late 60's, not really one or even a few artists!
• Have you got any projects or productions in the pipeline?
Viv: nope none we're retiring lol, its the end of the world in 10 weeks! Anstascia: we're on southern fried for the remix pack coming out monday for a luca c feat roisin murphy production, it's us and solomun on the pack weeehoo! a couple other productions with collabs with balcazar & sordo, climbers, and a remix for eklektisch …. other than that we're working on our next kompakt ep, then going to wind down to work on our album in the new year.
• If you could collaborate on a track with anyone, who would it be?
• So far what has been your most exciting set you have played and why?
Panorama bar for the obvious reason that it is THE institution for electronic music. massive respect for that place & piknic montreal this summer just before burning man, just because it was hands down best feeling coming home to montreal playing to a crowd of 5000+ of the most energetic / responsive crowd seen to date where any knob you twiddle and move you make the crowd reacts with you like they are puppets or a wave in an ocean… if we see the videos, we still get goosebumps! Last but not least, on the Robot heart bus at burning man under a full blue moon with all of our favorite people, playing for sunrise with our Get physical and burning man family. this is why we do what we do!
• Have you got any track/artist recommendations for the readers?
Wow yes so many, going to keep it to artists we're into right now. philip bader, nicone, sascha braemer, toby dreher, footprintz, mano le tough, superpitcher & rebolledo, climbers, eric volta, paolo rocco; were positive there are tons missing from this list!
After starting out at an incredibly young age in Detroit as a protégé of Techno god Kevin Saunderson, Marc moved to New York becoming a prolific figure during the halcyon period of house music. MK became one of the genre’s most respected producers and in-demand remixers whilst his timeless productions have had a renaissance through the sets of the Crosstown Rebel collective.
• What was the music scene like where you grew up? Well I grew up in Detroit. Detroit is like dance music House music Mecca, no matter what type of music it is if you listen to on the radio every sound on the radio they play they “speed” up, pitch up so you can actually dance to it. I grew up on that so it’s embedded in me.
• How would you describe your electronic sound, who are your influences? Hearing and meeting Kevin Saunderson influenced me then things began to happen. I moved up to New York and that sound mixed with what I grew up on gave me the perfect idea, I knew where to go. I knew how to keep my influence I also know how to make a down tempo danceable that was just in me. New York was known for being more mellow smooth underground type of sound and in some way I knew how to give it energy how to make the sound more alive.
• Out of your entire discography, which one still stands out for you?
When I made “Burning” I don’t know if it changed my life it’s weird because I was so young when I made that record I was 18 I did not know the feedback. I put the record out myself and distributors kept calling back to reorder. I had nothing to gage it on, I did not know if those numbers where bad or good or average, I was thinking it was average it was not 10 million copies I had enough to buy a new car I guess it was ok.
• How do you balance your old underground tracks with your more commercial work?
The funny thing it’s a lot harder bouncing the two styles than people may think, one of the other thing is that I work with Willow Smith which is more Hip Hop kind of edgy, comparing that to Pitbull which is more totally commercial. I keep trying to bring back MK and that’s raw and pretty hard to juggle that’s why it has taken so long to do an Mk record.
• Are we going to hear any more underground MK records? The underground records are coming; it’s good that I DJ right now and touring. Like I said I don’t DJ that much these couple of shows, playing certain MK records people are going mad when I play my tracks. I guess that this is the type of sound that’s in, the “MK sound”. I have just done a remix for Morgan Geist under his ‘Strorm Queen’ guise and I will be working on more material soon.
• I’ve heard you’ve starting playing a couple of shows, hows that been?
The first one I did was with my brother Scottie Deep in Leeds, La Loop party. I didn't know what the turnout would be. The place was full and as soon as I played the Burning the crowd lost it, they absolutely lost it, was a good feeling. The response was amazing the funny thing was that the oldest person was like 25 years old, to be able to play my records and other deeper sound that I like. It’s very exciting to see and makes me want to go back producing a real MK record.
House legend Roy Davis Jr has been producing music since the 80s, with his unique hybrid of soul infused with deep, soulful, Hip Hopped Chicago-style House. His seminal 90s tune 'Gabriel' with vocalist Peven Everett went global on radios and in clubs around the world. With a comprehensive discography, Roy Davis Jr has had a significant impact on the sounds of Chicago House.
• What was the music scene like where you grew up?
Well, growing up in Chicago It was a very musically inclined city where if you were into jazz, blues or electronic house music there was always somewhere to go, the city was filled with so much talent and still is very prevalent today as far as talent. I also think it has more Dj’s than I’ve ever seen anywhere all of the kids there want to be Dj’s it’s just apart of our culture.
• How would you describe your electronic sound, what are your influences?
It’s a mixture of Disco, Funk, Soul, Rock at times, all balled up into electronic music it’s just freedom for me to express on my canvas. My mind Is so influenced by so many styles of music I consider my self more of a innovator type of guy, I will take chances on my creativity step outside of the norm what some people perceive of me, because I like to stay open minded when it comes to sounds that way I wont get so bored with producing, I’m influenced by everything my environment, romance, jazz, funk, hip hop electronic sound waves its all in my life that’s why most of my albums reflect that side of me.
• Do you feel it has changed at all during your career as a DJ/Producer?
Yes, most definitely! It’s more about touring more than me living in the lab for months, the shelf life for a song or track would last months at a time, now days do to the internet factor your music is free, lucky if your song can last 3 weeks do to the over saturated market of kids that have no A&R guy to tell them what’s good or not so if they make a track in 5 minutes with no mastering they can just drop it on blogs or digital sites to sell, it’s good for them. But as a dj it’s to much music out there to really work a record the way you would like to, but I do my best with over 20 to 30 promos dropping in my box a day, so a lot of music that comes in doesn’t get the proper attention that it deserves, But as a international dj I try to do my best.
• Out of your entire discography, which one still stands out for you?
It’s so hard to pick out of 180 records or songs released or more, But the tracks that I still enjoy playing out of my catalog is “Rock Shock” On my label licensed to Daft Punk’s label from my company years back and “I Have A Vision” which was on the ScionAv Label and my last album. Along with Gabriel is the most requested from my sets to play.
• Have you got any projects, remixes of production in the pipeline?
Right Now I’m working on my new album for Miles End recordings out of Canada its more of a Dj friendly type of album heavy disco and 80’s influenced with a couple of Bangers in there for the big room, just a all around fun album. Also a remix for His Majesty Andre so look for that coming soon. Also a new Dj mix coming soon on the Mixed Signals label out of Toronto.
• If you could produce a track with anyone, who would it be?
I would like to produce a track with Lupe Fiasco rhyming over one of my house beats because I’m really into his flow and courage that he has on the microphone. I think that we would come up with something very interesting.
• In your opinion, which is the best club or venue in the world?
It’s hard to say, it’s more like where are some of my favorite countries to play at the moment? I really love playing in Dubai and Paris the crowds are open minded and very fun to play for plus I get to experience some of the best chefs in the World, I love to eat!
• Do you have any track recommendations for the viewers?
Yes! Look out for my new track “I’m Ready” to be my first single from my new LP dropping before the new year.
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Scion A/Vhas launched a Streaming Radio, opening a portal to rare and underground music and exclusive artist interviews. With these non-stop streaming stations, Scion A/V presents ever-evolving programming from respected DJs such as Roy Davis Jr, Trouble and Bass, Max Glazer and Rob Swift.
One of the unsung heroes of the UK house music scene, James Talk has gone from a fledgling producer championed by Pete Tong to a global star, gracing the world’s most respected labels and clubs on a regular basis. A breath of fresh air from the droves of posturing scenesters and minimal chinstrokers, his is a sound which goes back to the visceral essentials, reminding the world where tech house came from in the first place…
• What was the music scene like where you grew up?
Southampton has always had a fairly strong music scene. Many great DJ’s and bands have toured through our little city over the years. I started going to club nights when I was 16, and when I was 18 I started attending the High Tide Boat Parties. This is when things changed for me, I started meeting other local DJ’s and producers. We have a really strong network of talented DJ’s and producers here now.
• In your opinion, which is the best club/venue in the world?
I have 2 favorites. Womb in Toyko is incredible, and anyone who loves to dance needs to go there just once. There other would be Ministry of Sound in London. They have so much history and recognition in the dance scene. The brand is recognized all over the world, and its always an honor to play there.
• Are there any projects, remixes or productions in the pipeline?
I have just finished a new single with Ridney, and we are in negotiations with a record label right now. I am working on some new solo singles too, and also two remixes, one for ThreeSixty, the other for Andre Sobata. Ridney and I are launching our new label next year, called Extra Dry, we are very excited about it. We are also starting a club night and podcast to run alongside it.
• Is there anyone who would you like to play a back to back set with?
Oh there is a few, Josh Wink, and Steve Lawler for sure, their programming and mixing is flawless, I’m sure I could learn a lot from them.
• Out of all the tunes you have, which one never fails?
From tracks I’ve written personally, my remix of X Press 2 Smoke Machine is a surefire win on the dance floor. From other people I’d have to say, Reset Robot – Do The Slot, is always a dance floor bomb.
• Which artists do you think we see break through in 2011?
There is some exciting new people coming through, you’re going to hear a lot more from Reset Robot and Jet Project next year. These guys are workaholics and have the talent to be huge.
• Do you have any track recommendations for the viewers?
The new Guti & Audiofly record on Desolat is amazing, also Smak – Can’t Live Without on Sketchbook Records, is huge for me.
Russ Yallop (Aka Rusty James) is a serious slice of hot new talent with a massive release on Damian Lazarus's vanguard label; Crosstown Rebels. Combining the magnetism of disco with the raw energy of contemporary house music, Russ Yallop is producing a fresh take on a trusted formula with contagious basslines, filter cut vocals and cosmological synths. Russ is definitely one to watch in 2011.
• What was the music scene like where you grew up?
I grew up in Brighton which has a buzzing 'beats' scene, breaks/dnb/hip hop ie loadsa sweaty lads wearing hoodies drinking Fosters. The house scene is mainly commercial, it wasn't until I started doing seasons in Ibiza that i really got into house music.
• Crosstown Rebels is a cutting edge label, how has it been working with them?
Working with Crosstown has been amazing. If I had to pick a label to do my first ep on it woulda been Crosstown! Damian (Lazarus) may have been round the block a few times :) but he still is absolutely on the pulse, to give a complete unknown such as myself an ep of my own I think shows real balls and I suppose a commitment to music over anything else.
• In your opinion, which is the best club/venue in the world?
Ha ha easy one, DC10. For the vibe, the history, the crowd, the attitude, but foremost because of the music. Really impressed how Circo Loco seem to be prepared to keep pushing new sounds when they could easily stick to their guns. Oh shit forgot to mention Chasers in Slough…
• Who's throwing the best parties at the moment?
Tough question as for me as long as the line-up's to my taste and the soundsystem's good I can have fun anywhere. My regular haunts are Fabric and Kubicle.
• Are there any projects, remixes or productions in the pipeline?
Loads! I'm a slave to the studio. Have a podcast out soon which I'm excited about and upcoming releases on Crosstown & Hot Creations. Plus next ep, Harlem, is out very soon on Hypercolour's new label Losing Suki.
• Will you continue to produce under alias Rusty James, or is it all go for the new sound of Russ Yallop?
Rusty James existed because I was wary about using my own name, seemed weird using a name which has always pissed me off having to incessantly spell it for people! But it was actually Damian who persuaded me to use my own name as it was much more unique. Will be sticking with Russ Yallop for now.
• What's your favourite song of all time?
Impossible question! Just thinking about it causes my brain to freeze and needs a restart.
• Have you got any track or artist recommendations for the viewers?
Hmm. Saying Jamie Jones is a bit like telling people Al Pacino's a good actor… Lee Foss is outstanding and is yet to make a record which I'd class as anything but incredible. Robert James is a huge new talent- the fucker's been making music for a fraction of the time i have and is currently shitting out killers.. As for tracks I suppose then Jamie Jones – Our Time In Liberty, Lee Foss – Keep My Cool, Robert James – Mindscaping, & Richie Ahmed – Suck It. All so sick they really should be in bed getting some rest.
Fedde le Grand has been producing since 2001 & since then he has teamed up with Funkerman and Raf creating Flamingo Recordings, an independent record label that allowed them to keep their underground identity and release fresh tracks sooner than most other labels. With the release of ‘Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit’ Fedde le Grand became known to the world, with his further releases; "Let Me Think About It" and "Creeps" reaching charts across the globe. Arguably one of the worlds biggest DJ’s, he has headlined countless festivals, events and featured in many major magazines.
Some readers may think Fedde Le Grand as "commercial" but he also has a host of underground productions and mixes, and having seen him several times I can safely say he is a quality house DJ. I was very excited for the chance to interview him (not only due to his superstar fame) but also because his tunes paved the way to the type of music that I like now.
• What was the scene like where you grew up?
There were several scenes. We had a massive r&b/hip-hop and house scene. I actually started off DJing Hip Hop, you’d be surprised how many Dutch DJs actually started off in that genre! So it’s always been a sound that I’ve held a special place for, I think in a lot of my production you can hear its influence coming through in the beats, the syncopation of the rhythm.
• Which club/event have enjoyed the most playing at?
For me, the best place I’ve ever played in has got to be Green Valley in Brazil, that was one of the most amazing places I’ve ever had the pleasure of DJing at. Everything was perfect from the atmosphere to the people to the guys who run everything behind the scenes, and of course it’s just such a beautiful country as well. If you ever get the opportunity to go out there I would definitely recommend it.
• Out of all the tunes you have, which one ‘never fails?’
A new track I just made called Metrum – keep your ears peeled that’s all I’m saying : )
• Are there any projects, remixes or productions in the pipeline? I’ve just released two new remixes of Rockin High from my Output album, one by Benny Benassi and the other one by Nicky Romero. We’ve had some amazing reactions to them already from other DJs and radio stations across the world, it’s out now on www.beatport.com and then everywhere else including i-tunes from September 13th. I’m really excited about this one, it’s a great tune. Other than that I’ve also just done a track with Tiesto, one with Green Velvet, I remixed one of Benny Benassi’s tracks but I’m also really heavily on the road now until halfway through October so it’s quite hard to fit some quality studio time in.
• When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?
I really like chilling out with my friends at home, watching films and playing video games, I’m also really into fitness, it’s really important for me to have something that I can centre myself with and focus, there’s so much travelling and different times zones when you’re playing all over the world so it’s great to have a healthy way to unwind.
• Apart from house, are there any genres you like to listen to?
I have really eclectic tastes, I’m a real fan of funk and hip-hop, I grew up listening to funk bands like P-Funk – Bootsy Collins is a massive hero of mine. Anything that’s good, intelligent, original and has a great beat to it, I’m a really fan of.
• What’s your favourite tune of all time? (Or favourite artist) My favourite artist is definitely Bootsy Collins. P-Funk (or Parliament) were a really groundbreaking band and he was the bass player, so I think I got my love or a great groove and bassline from him. He’s a legend in my eyes (and a lot of other people’s!). I’m also a massive fan of Michael Jackson, there’ll never be another one like him.
• What’s your favourite track at the moment? I’m going to be selfish and say Rockin High : ) , Benny has done an amazing remix but there’s also a part in Nicky’s edit about two thirds through where it breaks down into this killer beat, it’s almost break-beat like with a huge bassline that rumbles underneath, it just smashes the dance floor every time it gets dropped.
After some time in the music industry under various aliases Kanio smashed his way onto the underground dance music scene in late 2007 with a string of chart topping minimal productions. Off the back of this swift rise, September 2008 saw the launch of his Novakane imprint which followed quickly in sales success. Gigs have come thick and fast for Kanio since day one; he has secured appearances at some of the worlds hottest parties including: Circo Loco, Fabric, Matter, The End & Green Valley.
• What was the scene like where you grew up?
I grew up in Surrey, so in a word: Lame. I started DJing hip hop when I was 13, and coming up to London and going out to Drum and Bass when I was 16 though.
• Which do you enjoy doing more, producing or DJing?
I prefer DJing, but not the traveling. Production can be really hard work but it’s really rewarding.
• Which club/event have enjoyed the most playing at?
Probably playing room 1 at Fabric. It was the first major club I went to, and it’s one of the toughest places to play so it was amazing to play there.
• Which DJ’s set have you been most impressed with recently?
I don’t get to see as many sets as I’d like, but Jamie Jones, Lee Foss, Julien Chaptal, Dyed Soundorom and Mattias Tanzmann have all been wicked for me lately.
• Are there any projects, remixes or productions in the pipeline?
God loads, myself Cozzy D and Lee Brinx have just launched a new Label called Lower East, loads of good artists involved, Uner, Nima Gorji, Federico Locci & UGLH, Ronan Portella and more. Plenty of upcoming stuff from myself on there. I’ve just had a release on Trapez, remixing for Mark Henning, also remixes on Soulman music and SK Supreme.
• Out of all the tunes you have, which one ‘never fails?’
.Actually I don’t really have one. Crowds seem to have different tastes in different places so some things work better that others depending where you are.
• When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?
Duvet and a Pizza watching Jeremy Kyle.
• What are your two favourite tracks at the moment?
God really hard to say two tracks. The stuff that’s exciting me the most at the moment is Jamie Jones, Lee Foss and a lot of the Crosstown Rebels stuff. Think things are seeming to start to go a bit a electronic again and less organic which could be interesting for the scene.
Since ‘Robot’ was released on Leftroom, emerging as one of 2006′s biggest tunes, Audiojack have had huge worldwide exposure playing in over 30 countries. Since then a host of big tracks have been released on 20:20 vision records establishing the duo as key figures within the UK techno scene. Their ever growing remix portfolio includes remixes for artists such as Little Boots, Joey Negro and Underworld whilst indie label remixes for Johnny Fiasco, Vandal and Mike Monday have all featured the beatport top 10 chart.
• What was the scene like where you grew up?
At my school it was mostly indie rock so I used to hang out with older kids who were into hardcore and techno. I sat on the school bus with twins and they’d give it ‘nst nst nst nst’ mimicking the high hats they could obviously hear through my walkman headphones, and I’d return with some banter about them being greasy moshers, all good light-hearted fun. 15 years later and not much has changed. They are Ryan and Gary Jarman of indie band The Cribs.
• Which do you enjoy doing more, producing or DJing?
That’s about as difficult as being given a choice of beer or wine / meat or fish! They really are different things entirely, both have strengths and weaknesses. I think the combination is preferential though, being able to make something in the studio in the week then play it out and see the reactions at the weekend. Also hearing another DJ then taking inspiration from that back into the studio. DJing and producing definitely go hand in hand.
• In your opinion, which is the best club/venue in the world?
The best clubs and venues aren’t normally clubs or venues… the little pockets of scenes around the world built up and taken down for each event in churches, warehouses, fields, farms etc. We recently played for Doc Martin at one of his Sublevel events in LA. It was invite only; you get text the venue details 2 days before the gig, that kind of thing. The venue was a church right in the middle of bum town. Everyone was on the same awesome vibe and there specifically for the party, to party.
• Whoes throwing the best parties at the moment?
That’s hard to say, we haven’t played at many parties this year that have really blown us away. Our favourite gigs of the year so far have been Vibe Club in Curitiba, Hora Zero in Ensenada and the above mentioned at Sublevel in Los Angeles. The ‘big’ gigs have mostly been a bit of a let down. The hype that surrounds some clubs doesn’t help as you end up with a large percentage of people turning up expecting to be entertained and forgetting that they actually have a part to play in making it a great event. Over hype can be a bad thing.
• Are there any projects, remixes or productions in the pipeline?
Our next release is out in a couple of weeks on 2020 Vision and features 3 new original tracks. You can check out samples on our Soundcloud or Myspace pages. We’ve also just remixed Dirty Vegas for Pieces of Eight and Westboy for our own Gruuv label. At the moment we’re working on a remix for H.O.S.H’s next single from his album on Diynamic, and are working hard on the next releases for Gruuv so there’s plenty going on!
• Who would you like to play a back to back set with?
We actually played back to back with Paul Woolford last week at a festival in Ireland. As one of our favourite DJs it’s a pleasure to see him play and an honour to play with him. That aside though I reckon joining Danny Tenaglia for one of his 12 hour marathon sets would be pretty good fun!
• What’s (one) of your favourite tunes of all time?
Daft Punk – Burnin
• Apart from house or techno, are there any genres you like to listen to?
We listen to all sorts, literally everything from indie to classical. It’s important to listen to different music genres and music from different time periods; it can provide a lot of inspiration for current projects.
• What are your two favourite tracks at the moment?
Daniel Stefanik’s track ‘Just One Moment’ on Be Chosen is one of the most iconic and original tracks of the year for us, we love the way he’s kept a solid house vibe to this track yet filled it with pure energy. Also our new track ‘Motion Sickness’ on 2020 Vision has been getting the best reactions at our gigs over the last few months.
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